Electric valve circuits



Feb. 13,1940. 6. w. GARMAN 2,190,514

ELECTRIC VALVE,CIRCUITS Filed Jan. 2a, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1.

Invehtor George W. Gar-man by M14767 His Attorne g.

Feb. 13, 1940. w, GARMAN 2,190,514

ELECTRIC VALVE CIRCUITS Filed Jan. 28, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /Yi A m m m; MEKW?\ W/EKMQ Inventor:

e W Garman,

' Georg Attorney.

Patented Feb. 13, 1940 PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC VALVE CIRCUITS George W. Garman, Scotia, N. Y., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of x New York Application January 28, 1938, Serial No. 187,429

9 Claims.

My invention relates to electric circuits and more particularly to electric valve circuits.

In the application of electric valves to electric translating circuits, it is frequently desirable to effect periodic energization of a load circuit and to control the amount of energy or power transmitted thereto during each interval of energizatlon. Furthermore, it is desirable to control the length of the periods of energization as well as the interval of time between the successive periods of energization. For example, in electric welding circuits, it is important in line or seam welding operations to energize the welding circuit periodically and to control the length of the periods of energization and the amount of energy transmitted during each interval. Various electric valve systems have been devised heretofore for accomplishing this type of control. Many of the prior art arrangements have inwaived the use of complicated and expensive control equipment. There has been evidenced a decided need for improved apparatus which is simple in construction and arrangement and which is susceptible of positive and reliable action without entailing frequent inspections and renewal oi parts.

It is an object of my invention to provide new and improved electric control circuits.

It is another object of my invention to provide new and improved circuits for controlling elec-' tric valve apparatus.

It is a further object of my invention to provide new and improved control circuitsior electric valve apparatus whereby a load circuit is periodically energized and whereby the length of the periods of energization and the energy transmitted may be controlled.

In accordance with the illustrated embodiments of my invention, I provide improved excitation .or control circuits for electric valve apparatus which effect periodic energization of a load circuit through electric valve apparatus and which aflord reliable means for controlling the energy transmitted to the load circuit during the periodic energizations. In one embodiment, the excitation circuit includes a negative unidirectional biasing potential which tends to maintain a control electric valve non-conductive. To establish the intervals of energization of the load circuit and to control the ratio of the intervals of conduction to the intervals of nonconduction, I provide means, such as an electric valve circuit, which introduces into the excitation circuit a train of half cycles of alternating voltage which are opposite in efiect to that of the biasing potential and which tend to render the control electric valve conductive, but which are 01' a value or magnitude insuflicient to overcome the eflect of the biasing potential. I provide an additional means, such as a saturable inductive device, for introducing into the excitation circuit another alternating voltage, preferably of peaked wave form which also tends to render the electric valve means conductive, but which in itself is not of suflicient magnitude to render the electric valve means conductive. The two alternating voltages in their conjoint action render the electric valve means conductive during the predetermined number of half cycles established by the first alternating voltage. I provide means for shifting the phase of the alternating voltage of peaked wave form with respect to the anodecathode voltage of the electric valve means to control the time during each of the predeter mined number of half cycles at which the electric valve means is rendered conductive. In this manner, the energy transmitted to the load circuit during each half cycle and during the number of half cycles is controllable.

In another embodiment of my invention the excitation circuit includes an alternating voltage as a biasing potential and which is in substantial phase opposition to the trains of half cycles of alternating voltage which determine the intervals of conduction. This alternating biasing voltage may also be displaced electrical degrees relative to the anode-cathode voltage of the electric valve to be controlled. The electric valve means is rendered conductive only when the trains of half cycles are introduced into the excitation circuit. The joint action of the periodically applied trains of half cycles and the voltage of peaked wave form is required to render the electric valve means conductive.

For a better understanding of my invention, reference may be had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims. Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings diagrammatically illustrates my invention as applied to an electric welding circuit and Fig. 2 represents certain operating characteristics thereof. Fig. 3 diagrammatically illustrates a modification of the arrangement of my invention shown in Fig. l and Fig. 4 illustrates certain operating characteristics of the arrange-v ment shown in Fig. 3.

Referring now to Fig. 1, I have diagrammatically illustrated my invention as applied to an electric control circuit for eiIecting periodic enervalves 2|.

rectifier I9 is impressed across a parallel congization of a welding circuit. An alternating current supply circuit I is connected to a load circuit, such as a welding circuit 2, through a transformer 3 and a pair of reversely connected electric valve means 4 and 5. The electric valves 4 and 5 are connected in series relation with a primary winding 5 of transformer 3. The electric valves 4 and 5 are preferably of thetype employing an ionizable medium such as a gas or a vapor and each includes an anode 1, a cathode 3 and a control member 9 which may be of the make-alive or the immersion-ignitor type comprising a material having a relatively high specific electrical resistivity compared with that of the associated cathode 8 which may be of the self-reconstructing type. A suitable circuit controlling means, such as a switch l3, may be interposed between the supply circuit and the electric valves 4 and 5 to disconnect the electric valves and the transformer 3 from the supply circuit.

In order to control the energization of the immersion-ignitor control members 9 of electric valves 4 and 5, I provide excitation circuits II and I2 which are associated with electric valves 4 and 5, respectively. II and I2 are similar in construction and arrangement and in order to facilitate description thereof excitation circuit ll, associated with electric valve 4, will be considered in detail. A

control electric valve I3 is provided to effect the' energization of the control member 9 of electric valve 4 at the proper times and during predetermined intervals. The control electric valve I3 is preferably of the type employing an ionizable medium and includes an anode l4, a cathode I5 and a control member l6 which may be of the grid type. The anode H of the control electric valve 3 may be connected to anode I of electric valve 4 and cathode l5 thereof may be connected to the immersion-ignitor control member 9 of electric valve 4. A current limitin device, such as a fuse I1, and a resistance I8 may be connected in series relation with the control electric valve l3. While the control electric valve I3 has been shown as being connected in the circuit in a manner to be responsive to the polarity of the anode-cathode voltage of the electric valve 4, it is to be understood that-I may employ other arrangements in which a control electric valve effects energization of the immersionignitor control member 9. For example, I may employ a circuit of the type in which a condenser is periodically discharged bya control electric valve to effect the desired energization of the control member 9.

As a means for introducing into excitation circuit II a biasing potential which tends to maintain the control electric valve l3 nonconductive and hence tends to maintain the electric valve 4 nonconductive, I provide a bi-phase rectifier I3 including a transformer 26 and a pair of unidirectional conducting devices such as electric The output voltage of the bi-phase nected resistance 22 and a capacitance 23 to establish a unidirectional voltage of the polarityv valve I3.

The excitation circuits alternating voltage which tend to render the control electric valve I3 conductive, but which is parallel connected resistance 22 and capacitance 23. The magnitude of the alternating voltages introduced into excitation circuit II by transformer 24 is insufficient to overcome the negative unidirectional biasing potential provided by the bi-phase rectifier I9, resistance 22 and capacitance 23. The voltage introduced into the excitation circuit I I by transformer 24 is insuflicient in itself to render the control electric valve I3 conductive.

A second alternating voltage is introduced into the circuit II to cooperate with the first alternating voltage to render thevcontrol electric valve I3 conductive during predetermined intervals of time established by the voltage introduced by transformer 24. nating voltage may be produced by a saturable inductive device 21 including a core member 28 having a restricted saturable portion 29, a primary winding 30 and a secondary winding 3| which is associated with the restricted portion 29 and in which there is induced an alternating voltage of peaked wave form. A current limiting resistance 32 may be connected in series relation with secondary winding 3| of the saturable inductive device 21, and a capacitance 33 may be connected across control member l6 and cathode l5 of the control electric valve I3 to absorb extraneous transient voltages which may be presan anode 31, a cathode 38 and a control member 39. Electric valves 35 and 36 are connected to the supply circuit I through conductors 40 and a switch 4|. Excitation circuits II and I2 are also connected to supply circuit I through the switch 4|. A current limiting resistance 42 may be connected in series relation with the primary windings 25 of transformers 24, and a resistance 43 may be connected in series relation with the electric valves 35 and 36. Electric valve 36 is arranged to follow electric valve 35 and is provided with a control circuit including a transformer 44 having a primary winding 45, a secondary winding 46 and a tertiary winding 41. Primary winding is arranged to be connected to conductors 40 through the electric valves 35 and 36 and a resistance 48. Any suitable biasing arrangement may be employed to impress a negative biasing potential on control member 39 of electric valve 36 and I have chosen to show a self-biasing type circuit comprising a parallel connected capacitance 49 and a resistance 50 to perform this function. Secondary winding 46 is connected to control member 39 of electric valve 35 in order to prevent retardation in phase of the control voltage impressed on this member when the electric valves 35 is rendered conductive for a predetermined number of half cycles determined by the periodic electrical quantity produced by a control circuit to be described hereinafter. A transformer 44' is provided in This second alterseries relation with secondary winding 41 and the control member 38 to impress thereon a suitable biasing voltage which tends to maintain the electric valve 35 nonconductive except during those half cycles immediately following the half cycles of conduction of electric valve 35. The transformer 44' may be energized from the circuit including conductors l0.

As an agency for producing a periodic electrical quantity, such as a periodic voltage, for rendering electric valves 35 and 35 conductive for a predetermined number of half cycles of voltage of circuit l, and hence for effecting energization of the load circuit 2 for a corresponding number of half cycles, I employ a suitable circuit Circuit 5| may be of the type including a capacitance 52 which is charged from a direct current circuit 53 and which is periodically discharged through an electric valve 54 to impress a periodic voltage on control member 39 of electric valve 35 through conductors 55. .The direct current circuit 53 may be energized from the alternating current circuit l by means of a suitable rectifying circuit 58 including a transformer 51 and a pair of unidirectional conducting devices 58 and 59. The output circuit of the rectifier 55 is connected to a suitable voltage divider including a resistance 50 having adjustable taps or connections 8| and 82. Electric valve 54 is preferably of the type employing an ionizable medium, such as a gas or a "vapor, and includes an anode 63, a cathode 64 and a control member 65. An inductance 56 is connected in series relation with the electric valve 54 and serves to render the electric valve nonconductive. Control member 65 is energized so that there is impressed thereon a composite voltage having an alternating voltage component which is obtained from circuit l and is introduced in the circuit by means of a transformer A unidirectional voltage is also impressed on the control member 65 and is obtained by connecting the control member to contact SI of resistance 60. A third voltage, which is a periodic voltage obtained by the periodic charge and discharge of the capacitance 52, is also impressed on the control member 65. A suitable current limiting resistance 61 may be connected in series relation with control member 65 of electric'valve 54. As a means for controlling the period of the periodic electrical quantity, I employ an adjustable resistance 68 which may be course, is a periodic voltage determinedby the periodic charging and discharging of capacitance 52. In order to effect precise control of the conductivities of electric valves 35 and 35 where the ratio of the period of nonconduction to the period of conduction is relatively large, I employ a parallel connected resistance and a capacitance H, which are in turn connected in series relation with a resistance 12. These last mentioned elements are connected across the serially connected resistances 68 and 59. This last feature is disclosed and claimed in United States Patent No. 2,098,052 granted November 2, 1937, on an application of Harold W. Lord and as signed to theassignee of the present application.

To impress on primary windings 30 of the saturable inductive devices 21 in excitation circuits II and I2 alternating voltages of predetermined phase relation relative to the voltage of supply circuit l, and hence in order to control the amount of energy transmitted to load circuit 2 during the periodic energizations thereof, I employ a suitable circuit 13 which may be of the type disclosed and claimed in a copending patent application of Harry L. Palmer, Serial No. 179,718, filed December 14, 1937 and assigned to the assignee of the present application. Circuit I3 supplies to primary windings 30 of the saturable inductive devices 21 an alternating voltage adjustable in phase so that the voltages induced in secondary windings 3| are variable in phase throughout the first and second lagging quadrants, and is preferablyarranged to produce a voltage adjustable in phase within a range extending from the power factor angle of the load circuit to about 135 electrical degrees in retardation with respect to the voltage of circuit l.. Circuit 13 includes a winding H having a pair of terminal connections and I5 and an electrical intermediate connection 11. A pair of electric circuits is connected to electrical connection 15. One of these circuits includes a capacitance I8 and the other includes an inductance 19. A suitable circuit controlling means, such as a switch 80, is arranged to connect selectively capacitance 18 or inductance I! in circuit and includes a movable member 8| for effecting this control. Switch 80 establishes two distinct ranges of phase shift selectively determined by the position of the movable member 8|. A variable impedance element, such as a resistance 82 and an associated movable contact member 83, is connected between terminal 15 and switch 80, and serves to control the phase of the output voltage of circuit 13 within the ranges of operation established byswitch 80. The output circuit of circuit 13 includes a transformer 84 having a primary winding 85 and a secondary winding 86 which is connected to primary windings of the saturable inductive devices 21 through conductors 81. A capacitance 88 may be connected across primary winding 85, if desired, to reduce the current consumed from the bridge'circuit. Where it is desired to prevent advancement of the phase of the voltage beyond the power factor angle established by the load circuit 2, an adjustable resistance 89 may be employed.

To explain the operation of the embodiment of my invention. illustrated in Fig. 1, the system will be considered when it is operating to effect periodic energization of the load circuit 2. The ratio of the intervals of conduction to the intervals of nonconduction may be established by adjustment of resistance 88 in circuit 5|. The amount of energy transmitted to the load circuit 2 during each period ofe'nergization may be controlled by adjustment of the movable contact 83 associated with resistance 82 in circuit 13. Electric valves and 35 are rendered conductive periodically by the periodic voltage generated by circuit 5|. The output voltage of circuit 5| which is impressed on control member 39 of electric valve 35 through conductors renders the electric valve conductive, and electric valve 35 follows electric valve 35 to impress on primary windings 25-of transformers 24 a predetermined number of half cycles of alternating voltage. The control electric valves II in excitation circuits II and I2 are rendered conductive during a corresponding number of half cycles and hence effect energization of the control members 9 of electric valves 4 and 5 to transmit alternating current to load circuit 2 and to primary winding 6 of transformer. 3 during these half cycles. In this manner the load circuit 2 is supplied periodicaly with a predetermined number of half cycles of current.

Considering in particular the operation of the excitation circuits H and I2, the voltage impressed on control members iii of electric valves -I3 is a composite voltage comprising three components. One of these components is a negative unidirectional potential appearing across the terminals of resistance 22. A second component is the alternating voltage supplied by the alternating current circuit I and transmitted through electric valves 35 and 36 and introduced into the excitation circuits by transformers 24. The third component is the alternating component of peaked wave form which is produced by the saturable inductive devices 21 The alternating voltages are insuilicient by themselves to render electric valves l3 conductive and in order to render electric valves i3 conductive, it is necessary that both alternating voltages be present.

For a better understanding of the manner in which the excitation circuits II and I2 operate,

reference may be had to the operating characteristics shown in Fig. 2. Curve A represents the alternating voltage of, circuit 1 and hence may represent the anode-cathode voltage of one of thefgpower electric valves, for example electric valve 4, and may also represent the voltage impressed across anode l4 and cathode ii of the control electric valve IS in excitation circuit ll. Curve B represents the negative unidirectional biasing potential appearing across resistance 22; and curve C represents the alternating voltage of peaked wave form introduced in excitation circuit II by the saturable inductive device 21. Curve D represents the alternating voltage introduced in the excitation circuit by transformer 24 and is introduced'periodically by the electric valves 35 and 36. It will be observed that the voltages as represented by curves C and D are ineffective separately to render the electric valves 0 I3 conductive but are effective when .acting conjointly to render these valves conductive. For example, electric valve i3 in excitation circuit II is rendered conductive at time a and, of course. electric valve '13 in circuit l 2 will be rendered conductive at time b. If circuit II is adjusted so that electric valves 35 and 36 conduct current for four half cycles, control electric valve l3 in excitation circuit II will be rendered conductive at times a and c and control electric valve i3 in excitation circuit l2 will be rendered conductive at times b and (1. Since electric valve 36 follows electric valve 35, an even number of half cycles of voltage will Be transmitted to load circuit 2; However. it is to be understood that I may emoloy any suitable arrangement for effecting energization ofthe load circuit for even or odd numbers of half cycles. Curve Erep'resents the voltage impressed on primary winding 6 of transformer 3 and hence represents the voltage impressed on the load circuit 2 under the above mentioned conditions.

The phase position of the alternating voltages of peaked wave form introduced in excitation circuits II and I2 by the saturable devices l2 may be controlled by the adjustment of the movable contact 83 in circuit 13. Furthermore, the phase of the voltages of peaked wave form may be controlled throughout the first and second lagging quadrants to control the amount of energy transmitted to load circuit 2 during the periodic energization of the circuit. For a more detailed description of the operation of circuit 13 reference may be had to the above identified patent application of Harry L. Palmer.

In Fig. 3 there is diagrammatically illustrated a modification of the embodiment of my invention shown in Fig. 1 and corresponding elements have been assigned like reference numerals. The circuit of Fig. 3 relates to a modified arrangement for the control electric valves l3 in which the three control voltages employed are alternating. In order to introduce into the excitation circuit an alternating voltage which tends to maintain the electric valve l3 nonconductlve. I employ a transformer 90. The phase of the voltage introduced in the excitation circuit by transformer 90 may be 180 electrical degrees out of phase with respect to the voltage introduced into the circuit by transformer 24. If desired, 1 may employ means for impressing on control member IS a negative unidirectional biasing potential, such as a self-biasing type circuit comprising a parallel connected resistance 9i and a capacitance 92. The alternating voltages produced by transformer 24 and the saturable device 21 are each independentlyineffective to render the electric valve l3 conductive, but are of proper magnitude so that when acting conjointly the electric valve I3 is rendered conductive.

The operation of the modification of my invention shown in Fig. 3 is substantially the same as that explained above in connection with Fig. 1. The characteristics shown in Fig. 4 may be referred to more fully to explain the operation of the arrangement in Fig. 3. The curves of Fig. 4 which relate to similar operating characteristics shown in Fig. 2 have been assigned like reference characters. The voltage introduced in the excitation circuit by the transformer 90 is represented by curve F. It is understood that this voltage may be displaced substantially 180 electrical degrees with respect to the anode-cathode voltage of electric valve l3 and that it may be displaced substantially 180 electrical degrees relative to the anode-cathode voltage of electric valve 4 and it is also displaced 180 electrical degrees with respect to the alternating voltage introduced into the circuit by transformer 24 which is represented by curve D. The alternatingvoltage of peaked wave form is ineffective to render the electric valve l3 conductive except during those intervals when'the transformer 24 is energized by electric valves 35 and 36. At times e and f the electric valve [3 in one of the excitation circuits will be rendered conductive; and at times or and h, electric valve l3 in the other excitation circuit will be rendered conductive. Curve ,6- represents the voltage impressed on the load circuit 2. Of course, it is to be understood that the period of energization of the load circuit 2 is controlled by controlling the number of half cycles of alternating voltage introduced into the excitation circuit by transformer 24 and that the amount of energy transmitted duringthese and I, therefore, aim in the appended claims to 70 cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention. What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In combination, an alternating current circuit, an electric valve means connected to said circuit and having a control member for controlling the conductivity thereof, and an excitation circuit for energizing said control member comprising means for impressing thereon a biasing potential tending to maintain said electric valve means nonconductive, means for impressing on said control member a voltage tending to render said electric valve means conductive during a predetermined number of half cycles of voltage of said alternating current circuit but being of a value insufllcient to overcome said biasing potential and means for impressing on said control member an alternating voltage which cooperating with said voltage is effective to render said electric valve means conductive during said number of half cycles.

2. In combination, an alternating current circuit, an electric valve means connected to said circuit and having a control member for controlling the conductivity thereof, and an excitation circuit for energizing said control member comprising means for impressing thereon a biasing potential tending to maintain said electric valve meansnonconductive, means for impressing on said control member a periodic voltage being opposite in effect to said biasing potential but being of a value insufllcient to overcome said biasing potential and means for impressing on said control member an alternating voltage which co operating with said periodic voltage is efiective to render said electric valve means conductive at predetermined times during cycles of voltage of said alternating current circuit.

3. In combination, analternating current circuit, an electric valve means connected to said circuit and having a control member for controlling the conductivity thereof, and an excitation circuit for energizing said control member comprising means for impressing thereon a biasing potential tending to maintain said electric valve means nonconductive, means for impressing on said control member an alternating voltage tending to render said electric valve means conductive during a predetermined number of half cycles of voltage of said alternating current circuit but being of a value insufficient to overcome said biasing potential and means for impressing on said control member a second alternating voltage which cooperating with the first mentioned alternating voltage is effective to render said electric valve means conductive at a predetermined time during each positive half cycle of anode-cathode voltage or said electric valve means during said predetermined number of half cycles.

4. In combination, an alternating current circuit, an electric valve means connected to said circuit and having a control member for controlling the conductivity thereof, and an excitation circuit for energizing said control member comprising means for impressing thereon a biasing potential tending to maintain said electric valve means nonconductive, means for impressing on said control member an alternating voltage tending to render said electric valve means conductive during a predetermined number of half cycles of voltage of said alternating current circuit and being of a value insuilicient to overcome said biasing potential and means for impressing on said control member an alternating voltage ,of peaked wave form which in cooperation with said first mentioned alternating voltage is eifective to render said electric valve means conductive during said number of half cycles.

5. In combination, an alternating current circult, an electric valve nieans connected to said circuit and having a control member for controlling the conductivity thereof, and an excitation circuit for energizing said control member comprising means for impressing thereon a biasing potential tending to maintain said electric valve means nonconductive, means energized from said alternating current circuit for impressing on said control member a predetermined number of half cycles of alternating voltage tending to render said electric valve means conductive but being of a value insufficient to overcome said biasing potential, -means for impressing on said controlmember a second alternating voltage which cooperating with'said first mentioned alternating voltage is effective to render said electric valve means conductive and means for controlling the phase of said second alternating voltage with respect to the voltage of said alternating current circuit to control the time at which said electric valve means is rendered conductive during each of the predetermined number of half cycles.

6. In combination, an alternating current circuit, an electric valve means connected to said circuit and having a control member for controlling the conductivity thereof, means for impressing on said control member a biasing potential tending to maintain said electric valve means nonconductive, an electronic discharge means energized from said alternating current circuit for impressing on said control member a predetermined number of half cycles of voltage of said alternating current circuit and being of a value insufllcient to overcome said biasing potential, and means for impressing on said control member a second alternating voltage whichcooperating with the first mentioned alternating voltage is effective to render said electric valve means conductive during said number of half cycles.

7. In combination, an alternating current circuit, an electric valve means connected to said circuit and having a control member for controlling the conductivity thereof, means for impressing on said control member a biasing potential tending to maintain said electric valve means nonconductive, an electronic discharge means energized from said alternating current circuit and being arranged when in a conducting condition to impress a predetermined number of half cycles of alternating voltage on said control member, said alternating voltage being of a value insufiicient to overcome said biasing potential, a circuit for generating a periodic electrical quantity to render said electronic discharge means conductive to establish said predetermined number of half cycles of voltage, and means for impressing on said control member a second alternating voltage which cooperating with the first mentioned alternating voltage is effective to render said electric valve means conductive during said number of half cycles.

8. In combination, an alternating current circuit, an electric valve means connected to said circuit and having a control member for controlling the conductivity thereof, and an excitation circuit for energizing said control member comprising means for impressing thereon a negative unidirectional biasing potential tending to maintain said electric valve means nonconductive, means for impressing on said control member an alternating voltage tending to render said electric valve means conductive during a predetermined number of half cycles of voltage of said alternating current circuit but being of a value insuflicient to overcome said biasing potential and means for impressing on said control member a second alternating voltage which cooperating with the first mentioned alternating voltage is effective to render said electric valve means conductive at a predetermined time during each of said number of half cycles.

9. In combination, an alternating current circuit, an electric valve means connected to said alternating voltage tending to render said electric valve means conductive during a predetermined number of halt cycles of voltage of said alternating current circuit but being of a value insufficient to overcome said biasing potential,

said last mentioned alternating voltage being in substantial phase opposition to said alternating biasing potential and means for impressing on said control member a third alternating voltage which cooperating with said second alternating voltage is efiective to render said electric valve means conductive at a predetermined time during each'of said number of half cycles.

GEORGE W. GARMAN. 

